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Colonic fermentation: metabolic and clinical implications

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Abstract

Colonic SCFA formation from fermentable carbohydrate is important for the maintenance of morphologic and functional integrity of the colonic epithelium. Carbohydrate-induced diarrhea occurs when the amount of carbohydrate entering the colon exceeds its fermentation capacity. Deficient availability or utilization of SCFA, mainly of n-butyrate, is the cause of diversion colitis and may play important roles in colonic carcinogenesis, in starvation and enterotoxigenic diarrhea, and in idiopathic UC.

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Abbreviations

NSP:

nonstarch polysaccharide

SCFA:

shortchain fatty acids

SRB:

sulfate-reducing bacteria

UC:

idiopathic ulcerative colitis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital, 9200 West Wisconsin Avenue, 53226, Milwaukee, WI, USA

    K. H. Soergel

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Soergel, K.H. Colonic fermentation: metabolic and clinical implications. Clin Investig 72, 742–748 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180540

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00180540

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